Consumer Concerns Mount Over E20
Consumers are increasingly worried about how E20 will affect vehicle performance and fuel economy. Ethanol contains 30-35% less energy by volume than petrol, meaning drivers will need to use more fuel for the same power. This could lead to a measurable drop in fuel economy, estimated at 2-7%, particularly for older vehicles not E20 compliant.
Ethanol can absorb moisture and acts as a solvent, potentially causing corrosion in fuel systems and damaging rubber and plastic parts. However, industry groups like the Automotive Research Association of India and the Society for Indian Automobile Manufacturers state E20 is safe for older vehicles, calling wear-and-tear concerns 'misinformation.'
Shifting Emission Dynamics
Switching to E20 changes engine combustion, leading to mixed emission results. While ethanol's oxygen content helps combustion and reduces carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, and soot, it can also raise nitrogen oxides (NOx) and harmful acetaldehyde emissions. India does not yet have specific standards to track these emissions, unlike countries like Brazil.
E20 makes petrol more volatile, increasing its vapor pressure. This can strain systems designed to control fuel vapor release, particularly in older cars. Hot weather, common in Indian summers, can worsen fuel boiling and lead to vapor escaping into the air. This vapor contributes to ground-level ozone, a public health issue, and India's emission standards are less strict compared to many other countries.
Industrial Feedstock Strain & Food-Fuel Tension
India's drive for 'energy self-reliance' through ethanol has ironically led to importing industrial ethanol and corn. With the transport sector using up domestic ethanol, industries such as chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and beverages face shortages and must import.
This increased demand has reportedly driven up food prices and created conflict between food and fuel needs, with reports linking ethanol demand to corn shortages that affect the poultry industry. There are also concerns that using water-heavy crops like sugarcane for ethanol could strain local water supplies.
The policy's focus on ethanol as a transitional fuel might slow the shift to zero-emission technologies like electrification, which promise greater benefits for public health and the climate.
Alternatives and Global Practices
Critics suggest using ethanol primarily for industrial purposes rather than mandating higher blends in petrol. To lessen the food-versus-fuel conflict, increasing production of 'Second-Generation' (2G) ethanol from crop waste and trash, supported by programs like PM-JI-VAN Yojana, is vital.
Major economies like the United States cap ethanol blends at 10-15%, using excess for industrial uses and developing bio-products. Europe and the United Kingdom do not allow food-crop biofuels for sustainable aviation fuel, permitting only 2G fuels from waste.